AIIB President Concludes Central Asia Tour to Align on Regional Infrastructure Priorities

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Zou Jiayi, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), has concluded a high-level diplomatic mission to the bank’s founding members in Central Asia—Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan.

The visit underscored the institution's commitment to supporting national and regional development through sustainable infrastructure financing and strengthened government partnerships.

The mission served as a "listening tour" for President Zou, who assumed office in January 2026.

During the circuit, she held discussions with heads of state, AIIB governors, and senior officials across the region. A central theme of the visit was the strategic importance of Central Asia as a pivotal transport and trade corridor linking Europe and East Asia, as well as its emergence as a major hub for regional energy integration.

President Zou described Central Asia as a natural partner for the AIIB, noting the region's clear ambitions in transport connectivity, sustainable growth, digital infrastructure, and private investment. She emphasized that as these nations accelerate their transition toward renewable energy and modernized infrastructure, the AIIB remains dedicated to financing resilient projects that align with the specific priorities of its members.

In Kazakhstan, the President met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and AIIB Governor Serik Zhumangarin. Her itinerary continued in Uzbekistan with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Governor Laziz Kudratov, followed by meetings in the Kyrgyz Republic with President Sadyr Japarov and Governor Almaz Baketaev. The tour concluded in Tajikistan with President Emomali Rahmon and Governor Sulton Rahimzoda.

The discussions focused on several critical pillars: enhancing transport connectivity, advancing the energy transition, building climate resilience, improving water resource management, and fostering the digital economy and private sector growth. Both the AIIB and regional leaders expressed a mutual interest in deepening cooperation through large-scale regional connectivity initiatives.

The AIIB currently maintains an operational footprint in Central Asia valued at approximately US$8 billion, representing roughly 11% of the bank’s total global portfolio. Notably, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have established multi-tiered sovereign lending programs that ensure the bank’s investments are structurally integrated into their respective national development strategies.

Tangible outcomes of the tour included the signing of a framework partnership agreement with the government of Kazakhstan. In Uzbekistan, a US$102 million loan was finalized for the reconstruction of local road networks in the Karakalpakstan and Khorezm regions. Additionally, the Kyrgyz Republic secured a US$50 million credit facility aimed at developing a sustainable financing market for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

While in Tajikistan, President Zou visited the Nurek Hydropower Plant, one of the AIIB’s inaugural projects in the region. The visit to the facility served as a symbolic reminder of the bank’s long-standing engagement with Central Asia since the institution’s founding in 2016. President Zou noted that seeing firsthand how AIIB-supported projects improve livelihoods was a primary goal of her first field mission.

Looking ahead, President Zou highlighted that the AIIB will continue to expand non-sovereign financing and prioritize climate-oriented, tech-enabled infrastructure across Central Asia. These efforts are intended to bolster regional cooperation and ensure the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of the member nations.